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A:M Forum Rules
GENERAL FORUM GUIDELINES
The A:M Forum is for technical support and the sharing of tips and ideas between users/prospective users of Hash software. It is moderated constantly by technical support representatives.
DO'S!
-Ask questions about the software.
-Assist other users... everyone was new at this once.
-Inform people of your version/platform when asking for help.
-Share resources; tutorials, models, textures, tips and techniques (link to useful websites).
-Post links to your work, or where your art is being used online (on websites, in games, toons', etc.)
-Search the A:M Forum and FAQ. The question you are about to ask may have already been answered.
-Organize and inform others about user groups, IRC chats, image and animation contests, job opportunities, etc.
-Discuss what you are working on and let everyone know about magazine reviews and articles that relate to your projects.
DON'TS!
-Do Not be rude or disrespectful or mean to other forum members in any way. Personal attacks will be removed.
-Do Not post bug/crash reports to the list (send bug/crash reports to http://www.hash.com/reports.
-Do Not complain about forum content. Complaints or suggestions can be sent directly to hash@hash.com
-Do Not reprimand other forum members for violating forum rules, that's the moderators job, which (unless you are a moderator) you are not.
-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
-No flames of any kind.
-No Off Topic posts. (Posts in the Off Topics section should be related to A:M in some form or fashion or benefit the A:M community as a whole).
-No soliciting of any kind without prior approval.
-No threads or comparisons related to other 3D Applications.
-No "Wish list" or feature requests, they should be sent to www.hash.com/reports for categorizing and prioritization (User requests define the future development of the software).
-No "me too!" posts
-No discussion of Hash Internal Affairs (finances, advertising, PR.)
-No posting of private email to the forum unless permission of the author is granted. (Private correspondence should remain private)
-No very general questions like: "how do I make a good 3D model" make your questions as complete and concise as possible.
If you have questions as to whether it's appropriate, send it to: support@hash.com, We'll be happy to let you know whether it is, or is not appropriate.
User Led Forum Considerations
Firstly and foremostly, please remember this is Martin Hash's forum and that it is every A:M User's primary resource for information about A:M. In order to remain relevant we need everyone's continuing support and interest.
Secondly, understand there is a distinction between A:M (the program) and the A:M forum. There are some topics and issues that are outside the scope of this forum and most can be deduced by reading through the forum guidelines. These include such things as Hash Inc internal policies, business practices, trade secrets, and specific plans for the future not yet publicly released. Each of these would be fascinating topics of their own but are better reserved for private communications with a representative of Hash Inc.
Related to the second, is purchasing, customer service and other areas outside the purview of the common user who may have no interest in such things; subjects relating to money exchanging hands are beyond the scope of the A:M Forum and often can lead to conflicts of interest between users and/or Hash Inc. (If Hash Inc cuts you a deal on volume purchasing it's really no one else's business). Likewise, individual complaints about a product or service are best remedied by going direct with Hash Inc representatives empowered to make decisions. Please allow them them the time necessary to resolve your specific issue and consider the cost of customized solutions.
This last area is likely the source of much confusion because many see the A:M Forum as the official outlet for Hash Inc... and it is. But the forum is not designed for conducting business and private matters best resolved by going to Hash Inc directly. Similarly, bug reports are best resolved by entering them directly into the A:M Reporting system.
Many problems can be easily addressed at the user level just by asking fellow users in the forum. If someone at Hash Inc suggests the forum as a source, it is very likely a problem can be easily resolved. For tougher issues there is even more reason to take the issue directly to the source... you don't want the issue discussed... you want it resolved quickly.
Finally, remember that we want to pass this forum on to future moderators and generations of A:M Users in the absolute best condition possible. A:M is just that good a program and is worthy of our consideration.
Thanks for making the A:M Forum a great community.
4,155 topics in this forum
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- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi I'm right now working with a model and have encountered some problems, for example when I rotate my model AM runs very slow, lags. Same thing happens if I for example change the vertex positions or similar. I have checked if my CPU is overloaded or something similar but it is not, my model have around 4000 patches. What could be wrong? My PC is old but not very old, using Vista 32 bit, 2 GB RAM, AMD Athlon 2.6 GHz and a Radeon X1650. My graphic card is bad? Any suggestions of what graphic card is good for 3D animation/modeling? //Birdie
Last reply by birdie1, -
- 3 replies
- 453 views
i'm not sure if this is 100% true, but i found that using an actual photo for a facemask on a character is better than painting one in photoshop or whatever. upon doing some research and looking at some high resolution 3d characters, it appears that they use high res photographs for texturing. i've tried going to stock photo websites to find images, but the results are not so good. does any body know where i can find or purchase high res images for 3d characters? -hisako
Last reply by pixelplucker, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 313 views
> first you have a great render.>>> i was wondering if there is an add on i can use to make the mideling more > clay like.>>> i see other people have made dragons and i do not want to steal there's > instead makeing my own.>>> i am having a hard time with the eyes and the mouth.>>> wvwrytime i try to open the face for eyes the lathed object fails i have > tried 8-16 spins still no good.>>> i want to add bumps after the spin which it very hard to do.
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1k views
I've used Hash since 2000, but this is the most major problem I've ever had. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS: I'm using Hash for a production. At one point I set up choreographies with my own frame counters in the form of image files per frame as rotoscopes in the camera...(single camera in each chor) I erased those rotoscopes to move on in production, but now all of a sudden...when I load these choreographies there are a zillion folders that load into the PWS. So many that the files are huge and I can't navigate without taking 10 or more minutes to erase all of them.... The folders...all one zillion of them are named "Rotoscopes" This has made it nearly imposs…
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 31 replies
- 1.6k views
Hi, I had the 2003 CD version and some plugins but unfortunately I didn't use it much. Now I started again with animation, so I bought the subscription to have more features (or less bugs). Currently I'm using (trying to learn) 15.0G because there was a bug with real time rendering in shaded mode with the 15.0H version, so I'm sorry if the following problems have been corrected: 1. If I try to customize the toolbars just by adding more toolbars to the window (Tools/Customize/Toolbars), when I press "OK" all changes disappear (my screen resolution is 1920x1200 if that helps). 2. While there is enough space on the existing toolbar line for more toolbars (~4…
Last reply by dllb, -
- 6 replies
- 609 views
I wasn't having any luck getting a AM hair to fit with the style of the model I'm using, so I've set up an IK dynamic chain to control hair movement. Problem is, it seems to ignore the Euler limits I've set for the bones lower in the chain. Am I missing something or does a dynamic constraint just ignore Euler on lower bones? I know it adheres to the Euler limits on the dynamic constraint bone itself. Attached a movie of a quick motion test where the hair just kinda flys all over. I've tried Simulate on the Fly both on and off and get the same results, but that brings me to another problem - I can't seem to simulate spring systems. At all. It gets a few frames in …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 396 views
As I mentioned before I'm working on a new comic that we want to add around the first of the year. I'm trucking along with the models which are pretty much just letters with arms and legs but I had a question or two. Is there a good set of large, expressive eyes (something cartoonish like Keekat or Mickey Mouse) with the bones and maybe some presets out there that I could paste into these models without too much difficulty (and without any problems with me using the eyes for commercial applications)? I did my TAO lessons on adding a rig but that was a really basic lesson and I've not been about to figure out how to add things like EYE Targets or even complex joints …
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 771 views
OK, so quick question. If I add an image to a model or a layer as a cookie Cut, there is always a light gray "halo" surrounding the images edges that I cannot seem to get rid of. Does anyone know some tricks to get that halo to go away?? It really stands out and distracts from my animation. Thanks for any help!!!
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 11 replies
- 832 views
I made a walking action for the rabbit. when i try to put it in a new choreography it starts walking backwards
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 reply
- 316 views
does anybody know how to export a model to the *.obj format while keeping all the colours and textures on the model intact. mine show up fine but have no colour or surface textures. any help really appreciated,. kevin
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 15 replies
- 1.1k views
so im using the flame sprites that i grabbed from the tuts extra cd for a candle flame. the problem i found is that for some reason the candles glass container seems to block the bottom of the flame. i should be able to see the flame through the transparent glass. must be some parameter setting i missed?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 352 views
so in my rush to fix my shade wire issue i went and did a complete install of 15.0h....i wish i waited and saw your later replies about 15.0i. never the less i did the install and ive noticed that i cant modify and or add libraries. ill do the usual folders tab scroll to lib. and add new. click through to my extras dvd data / library. the path is all there and i restart AM and its gone as if i never added it. anyone else get this?
Last reply by sir fen the usa, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 926 views
Hi Folks, Are there any decent tutes on creating and modeling a character. I did the Cooper face tute in ToaA:M, but I'm thinking more cartoony character or somewhere in between. Just thought I'd ask. Thanks
Last reply by jimd, -
- 5 replies
- 471 views
Can I apply a procedural texture over top of a model that I have placed decals on? Does the procedural texture have to be in a specific place in the PWS heirarchy for it to show up? I'd like to add a turbulence over top of bitmapped images to simulate staining or grunge. thanks
Last reply by mcutler, -
- 3 replies
- 370 views
Hello, While working on a very basic choreography my front, side, back etc... windows are all black and do not display any geomerty. I've tried shift-z to centre the scene but still nothing. The camera and light views are fine. What gives? is it a camera clipping plane issue or what? Thanks in advance Mcutler
Last reply by mcutler, -
- 2 replies
- 386 views
Would it be better to wait until the new year (and presumably a new version) or purchase my subscription now? Thanks, Bubba
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 802 views
I'm going to bring my bvh questions to this request that I think would do the hash community some good. I'm begging anyone who can to make a bvh video tuturol. Something using a simple charater like thom. Showing how to connect each constraint (orient like, aim like and ect). I've been to zandoria.com and have tried to follow the instructions on thom but I can only get certain body parts moving right(not all of them). If I new enough I would make a help video like this myself but as you can tell I only know so much. I think if there was another help video that needed to be made, this would be the one. I humbly ask!
Last reply by jakerupert, -
- 14 followers
- 263 replies
- 22.9k views
Hello and Welcome to the New Users forum! Our goal here is to provide help and support for those working their way through Hash Inc's manual; The Art of Animation:Master . Animator Tony White stated in his recently published book; From Pencils to Pixels: We encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources at your disposal. Post your exericises in the TaoA:M forum. You'll learn from the experience and feedback you get. You'll have a whole lot of fun! The entire community of A:M users is here for you. They'll guide and encourage you as you explore the world of animation as only they can. Remember we are all in this learning proce…
Last reply by Gikefod, -
- 6 replies
- 507 views
so i have a model of a horse and a sled. i want the sled to be connected or follow behind the horse as if the horse was pulling it. ive put a bone on the yoke and a bone for the sled. the sled seed to be find on its own as far bending and turning. i tried to constraint the yoke to the horse but the yoke separates on the path and sticks with the horse leaving the sled behind. i can constraint the whole sled with the horse but it seem a bit stiff as the horse turns on the path. any ideas on how to use the constraints to look more life like?
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 6 replies
- 706 views
Hi Everyone, I'm new to AM and the forum and have a question. Does anyone know the trick to getting the materials and lights to look like the NFL Access logo/animations? Is it possible to get this look with AM? Sorry, I'm sure it's possible, but I'm new and don't know the program very well. Thanks so much in advance!
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 0 replies
- 278 views
First off WELCOME! I came here to this program and these forums around one year ago. Biggest lesson I learned was to listen to the advice you find here. An enormous wealth of knowledge just flows here. And the ease at which these folks here give out solutions or advice is amazing as well. My point basically is........................ This forum is as valuable to you as that A:M cd. Maybe more so. Again.........WELCOME! Gene Spleengene Animations (A NONprofit Studio LOL)
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 22 replies
- 906 views
Alright, I've had this pop up a couple times now. Bump maps (and normal maps) change DRASTICALLY from patch to patch. Anyone know what causes this? Normals are all facing the same direction.
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
How do I edit a Path after I have made it and find I need to make some adjustments Also in the tech manual it mentions I can use a model spline for a path but I have not been able to get it to work.
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 7 replies
- 960 views
I haven't found this question so I thought I'd ask it. It may be silly. Can you have faster rendering time if you have a better graphics card or ram?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
- 618 views
Hi. I've got a rudimentary question. I'm making a head. Given that I don't have a steady hand, my CP's aren't aligned the way I like. So I've selected a spline, and used "," to select all CP's within that spline. Now what I'd like to do is have them all aligned in the same Z plane. I've modified Pivot Z, but that didn't seem to do anything. I've modified Translate, but that seems to move them all by whatever # I enter, so they're moving within relation to each other, rather than to a single objective coordinate. I suspect I can look at the Pivot coordinates of each and subtract them from one another (1 at a time) and then modify translate with the differen…
Last reply by lafnjack, -
- 1 reply
- 377 views
I am working on a scene and in this scene, my character talks; i ve already recorded what my character should be sayiny in my friends studio. MY question is how can i put the voice to my AM so that it appears as if the character is talking that is my characters lips should be moving. Help pliz
Last reply by Darkwing, -
- 5 replies
- 834 views
I'm not a newbie. Well, I am in many ways even though I've had this program in many versions starting with v3. Here's a 2 part solution to how to get the most you can out of your version of A:M starting today (providing you have the disk version not just the web version/upgrade). PART 1: First thing to do is take your manuals TAO A:M and the Technical Reference to your favorite office supply store... You know... Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Kinko's... whichever like that. Take them back to the printing services area. Ask them to cut off the perfect binding (as little as they can Have them wire spiral bind them. This will cost you…
Last reply by steve392, -
- 1 reply
- 326 views
Right after I got A:M, I read this post by oakchas, I followed his advice and had the manuals spiral bound. It cost me less than his estimate, and has been the best advice on A:M that I've had. Better Than A Dragon Button Thought I'd pass it on. Myron
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 389 views
Hiya I have made a big mistake, I bought animation master in the uk, still got my box and original cd and manual but lost the cd cover which has my serial no on it, had to rebuild my machine, so now cant install, is it possible to get a new serial no, bit of a nightmare, if any of hash read this could you email me on pb@reptilezone.co.uk pete
Last reply by steve392, -
- 17 replies
- 692 views
Ok for kicks and giggles i decided to try and make a model of some anchient guardian of sort i really dont know what to call it so ill just call it bob. like all anchient guardians i wanted to have it have the glowing lines thing and while i managed to get it to look good i did want it to "start up" with the lines flowing from the center. im sure there is a easy way to do this but so far anything iv tryed looks to square for lack of a better term
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 301 views
Hi, I am working on a project and need to create animation using Washington DC as my background. I am new to AM and can't seem to get AM to talk to windows movie maker. I made a flag and need to place it with my pictures into movie maker. Can it be done? Need answer ASAP. Thanks.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 16 replies
- 907 views
Alright, the first one is an old friend that I had problems with before and thought I had... well, not fixed, but minimized. When the legs are fully extended, they "snap" pretty noticeably in the first few inches of movement. Before it had been suggested that perhaps the hinge bone was not aligned exactly with the top of the thigh bone and bottom of the calf bone, and when I did that it made the effect quite a bit less noticeable. The legs also end up pointing in slightly different directions, but I suspect this is because they're not 100% perfectly symmetrical on the body. Animation_MasterScreenSnapz002.mov However, as you can see from the movie, it's become very…
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 461 views
What are pcx files?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 301 views
OK hopefully simple ( though often not) is there a way that i can take a line comprised of 2 CP and ad 3 more at 25, 50, 75 % along the line , i know that you could do something like this on a line thats up and down or sideways but I'm talking like at various angels
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 3 replies
- 550 views
I need a good tutorial from begining to end on how to construct a head and I will want to use decal as well. can anyone help me with this?
Last reply by rodney sirratt, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 411 views
I there is not a free resource of image maps, what site do you recommend purchasing from?
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 25 replies
- 1.7k views
Hey folks How would you create a rail of light? Like say a florescent light bulb?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 6 replies
- 616 views
Hi! I put this in the newbie section because it seems an RTFM question, but I couldn't find an answer in that FM... Here's my problem: I created a little character model, added bones to it (created a bone hierarchy even) assigned CPs (weighted even) and would be all set to animate. BUT: I would really like to have the bones constraint to certain movement ranges. According to the manual, the spherical constraint seems to be what I need. And here's where I'm stuck. It seems that I can only add constraints to a pose or an action... not the rig (bones) in general. At least I couldn't find any info an that. Thing is I don't want to create any specific poses and or ac…
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 4 replies
- 416 views
This is a problem I've always had and was wondering if it was normal. The edge of the patch where the decal ends is always distorted. Decals are applied to the flattened surface as planar and extend beyond the edge of the patch. The "seam" you see in the screenshot is the product of the edges of two decals (front and back). I fix it by just covering up the seam with another decal, but this complicates bump maps. Is this normal or is there a way around this?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
- 515 views
I made a building for a friends live action short. The time has come o composit it into the footage, someone else is doing this in After Effects but, needs me to supply a suitable render to work on. I am using v13 ( although I have V14 I have yet to install it). how do I render a file for compositing were I can put the shadows on a seperate Alpha channel or is this not possible ? regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 259 views
Is Bit map plus built in to AM now?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 338 views
what is the significance of this? I have seen this in other projects
Last reply by rusty, -
- 1 reply
- 352 views
is there an updated version? i found one from 2001 on the ftp site but wanted to know if anyone had one more recent.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 373 views
In anothr project I have a model of a van that I wanted to animate with a constraint to a path. ( I am using V13, although I have V14) I apply the translate constraint and target it t the path but, how do I animate its position over time in a choreography. Or... Am I going about it the wrong way ( not unlikely ) regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm trying to add detail to some vents and wall outlets. Namely, screw heads. For the the life of me I can't figure out how to make a bolt, or screw head...any tutorials or suggestions?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 13 replies
- 1k views
OK hopefully simple answer to a irritating problem . is there a way i can change the texture on one surface to that of another. OK what I'm trying to do is sort of a nanite eruption. theres a grass filled valley that gets hit with a missile of sorts, from the missile metallic lines radiate out wards eventually turning the entire valley into a metallic version. i already have the mats/textures for it i just have yet to find a application method. i know that Boolean cutters can create a new texture into what ever they cut in but i need something that mearly changes it not remove it out right
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 1 follower
- 18 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi everyone. I'm trying to get started again after a hard drive crash. I had a great tutorial saved on how to model a face from front and side view photographs, but I lost it. Can anyone help me find such a tutorial? Thank you! Jim Dodds
Last reply by maddle, -
- 2 replies
- 427 views
Hi it s seems that the Stephen Gross Midiplugin does not longer work or i doing some thing wrong.I can download it in the prior section but it gave me an error message when i launch A:M. The other section give me a broken link. I ve tried the Wayback machine but i have the same result. Does some one have the plugin somewhere. Thank you all. M.
Last reply by yoda64, -
- 6 replies
- 660 views
Ok let s talk about something not so simple(at least with lightwave) I know the way A:M works and that it can offer some crazy tools for every kind of situations but what about this one ? i want to make a race track and i want every curve to bank on the Z axis (which is a bank).Is this possible ? In blender you can have a "hand" on the bank rotation axis before you extrude an object. Ideas around ?
Last reply by maddle, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 331 views
AM_fbm turbulence plugin I deleted it by accident can some one post it?
Last reply by HomeSlice,